University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Nikolai Kolesnikov
12/6/2019 1:15:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
With the annual Maroon and Gold Intrasquad Meet on Dec. 7, we're getting to know the five newcomers of Minnesota men's gymnastics in our Freshman Feature series. Last but not least in the series is Donte McKinney. Donte hails from Cameron-Fort Bragg, North Carolina and previously competed for Triumph Gymnastics. McKinney has already had the opportunity to compete in the maroon and gold once at the summer's USA Gymnastics National Championships. He placed 10th overall and earned fifth place on vault, sixth on parallel bars and seventh on floor. To qualify for nationals, Donte placed second all-around and on pommel horse at JO Nationals. He also took home top-five finishes on floor, vault (third) and high bar (fourth).
Previous Freshman Features: Crew Bold | Victor Perez | Valen Watrous | Andrew Hyde
Gopher Sports: How has your time on campus and with the team been so far?
Donte McKinney: It has been absolutely amazing so far, creating everlasting memories with the team in and out of the gym. I can't wait to see what these next four years hold.
GS: What are you most looking forward to in your first school year and season?
DM: I'm looking forward to competing with this team, traveling and finally experiencing college competition.
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
DM: I chose Minnesota because I felt a connection with the coaches and the team when I first came here for a camp and I felt like I could thrive with the energy they bring.
GS: How did you get into gymnastics?
DM: My mom put me into almost every sport you could think of like football, soccer, even bowling. But one day she put me in gymnastics and I immediately fell in love with the sport.
GS: What is your favorite gymnastics memory?
DM: I think my last nationals was one of my favorite memories because after that meet I knew I never had to do another tech sequence routine in my life. I was filled with joy.
GS: What are your hobbies outside of gymnastics?
DM: I don't really have any other hobbies other than driving and listening to music on volume 64, on my way to Dollar General to pick up some Zebra Cakes. I love Zebra Cakes.
GS: What is one thing Gopher fans should know about you?
DM: I crave competition.
Previous Freshman Features: Crew Bold | Victor Perez | Valen Watrous | Andrew Hyde
Gopher Sports: How has your time on campus and with the team been so far?
Donte McKinney: It has been absolutely amazing so far, creating everlasting memories with the team in and out of the gym. I can't wait to see what these next four years hold.
GS: What are you most looking forward to in your first school year and season?
DM: I'm looking forward to competing with this team, traveling and finally experiencing college competition.
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
DM: I chose Minnesota because I felt a connection with the coaches and the team when I first came here for a camp and I felt like I could thrive with the energy they bring.
GS: How did you get into gymnastics?
DM: My mom put me into almost every sport you could think of like football, soccer, even bowling. But one day she put me in gymnastics and I immediately fell in love with the sport.
GS: What is your favorite gymnastics memory?
DM: I think my last nationals was one of my favorite memories because after that meet I knew I never had to do another tech sequence routine in my life. I was filled with joy.
GS: What are your hobbies outside of gymnastics?
DM: I don't really have any other hobbies other than driving and listening to music on volume 64, on my way to Dollar General to pick up some Zebra Cakes. I love Zebra Cakes.
GS: What is one thing Gopher fans should know about you?
DM: I crave competition.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Gymnastics
Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24
Saturday, October 24